Just seeing the grandbabies eyes when we play "coi pond" makes it worth it! Then there is weather, maps, stocks, calendar. Also Ebay, programs for diet, exercise, GPS, shopping, etc. I can even take a picture of a book or CD cover and it will tell me where to buy it and how much! Oh yea, it even makes phone calls.

Get an Android. Apps can do much more, the iPhone's App Store only allows certain permissions, and on Android you can even install a different operating system.

EX. my phone, a HTC Hero (Sprint) normally would run Android 2.1Sprint said that when 2.2 came out, my phone didn't have the proper specs to run it.I hacked my phone, and now its running 2.2. Take that Sprint!

There is only one real answer to this question. And the only one who can give you that, well, that be youself. The iPhone is pretty hyped (as the iPod is, wich is in fact just a good MP3 Player, never was anything special). There are other mobiles by other companys, some even offer more functionality. Test them out, read datasheeds and look what they can. For me: 100$ a month, and 300$the phone itself. Its not worth it, i'm actually thinking about buying a touchphone myself. The iPhone is already sorted out in that competition.

FWIW, if you are reading this thread now rather than several months ago, the answer is "not necessarily". The new generation of Android touch-screen phones are offering a lot of alternatives, mostly doing the same things as the iPhone.

I have a Huawei Pulse on T-Mobile. It is a similar size (actually slightly larger, 3.5" screen), with 3G, Wi-Fi, a GPS with Google Maps, a browser, email, MP3/video player, a host of applications out of the box and the Android app store. The handset cost half of what an iPhone does and T-Mobile have a deal whereby topping up 10GBP (15USD) per month on PAYG gives you unlimited internet access and text messages, or you can get it on a variety of contracts depending on your use needs.

It's not quite as pretty as an iPhone, there aren't as many apps yet and the hardware isn't quite as nice (the camera is poor, but good enough if you own a digital camera anyway), but if you just want a touchscreen phone/browser/email/GPS/MP3 player for less money, it's one of the options. I did a Total Cost Of Ownership for both and I figure my phone to be almost exactly half the cost of the iPhone (but I use a lot of texts and make few voice calls).

It's worth it for me, but I'm on a family plan. It's much cheaper that way. $30 for data, $10 for add-a-phone, $4 for unlimited text($20 unlimited family text divided between people), and whatever portion of the minutes you use.

The iPhone is without a doubt the quitessential smartphone! Sadly it's currently only available on the ATT network which is ridiculously expensive and boasts the worst service of ANY carrier (in my area anyway). If you're willing to suffer the extremely poor performance and excessive cost to have this really cool phone now, I say GO FOR IT! Otherwise, hook up with a Blackberry for now and switch in two years when all the carriers have iPhones.

I had this same quandry, and I figured out that you can get a jail-broken and hacked 2G iPhone off of Craigslist for about $200. Then you go to T-Mobile (better service, no contract) and sign up for a plan and add unlimited data for $20/month. My plan is less than $70/month. Plus $200 phone Net present value of money: $100 buck verses $70 a month.

Well I don't know whether it's worth it, but I know for a fact that refurb is better : 1. WAY cheaper. 2. It already had a defect, so there is a WAY lower chance of it breaking again. 3.Other than that, it is the same. 4. Did I say it was cheaper yet?

I bought my iphone during a sale @ bestbuy ($150 for 8GB G3), didn't get the unlimited text plan, so my bill should be around $80/mo. I washed my Katana (on accident, I swear), and it would have cost $100 to replace from my current carrier (Credo). So with 2 weeks left on my contract, it was a fairly easy decision. $50 more for a new phone, and about $30/mo month more for the new plan. So far I'm happy. I use this for much more than just a phone.

for what it does, you'll pay less for a windows mobile/palmOS/blackberry phone, don't waste your money on what is essentially a babyproofed phone. if you're not a big fan of windows, the google G1 runs a version of linux, and with a little effort supports multitouch.

The problem is I'm stuck with AT&T for another good long while. It's just time for me to get an upgrade, and since my last phone s**t the bed, I figured it was time to check out the iphone. Maybe I'll convince the boyf to get the g1!

Until more reliable data is offered, I'm not sure Wired has much credibility.

Unfortunately, neither do the stories detractors (from the blog):

Although Apple nor Softbank releases the real number of shipment, today, it is strongly believed that they have shipped more than X and possibly near Y units in Japan.(Y is twice the previous estimate)

...which amounts to nothing more than guesswork and rumor. Of course, rumor is as reliable these days as official corporate PR. ;-)

if u want to spend the money that's up to u but personally i think the iphone is overrated in my opinion my friend has one and he says it sucks majorly and that there was a butt load of glitches so he hacked it and boy that was fun!!!

I thought it was just hype till my girlfriend got one. I got my own two weeks later and its the most useful portable electronic device I've ever used. The apps are the best part. Very worth it for me. All in all its up to you.

I've been considering upgrading to one for a while. I think that it's worth it. I have a few friends that own them and they absolutely love them. They just seem super useful, honestly. :) Also, I would go with a refurb if you can get one. I buy lots of refurbished products, and I've never had any issue. They're normally in great shape, too.

i dont think so my scratched and worn motorola c380 (which i charge with 2 wires from a computer power supply cause its charger died) serves all my phone and sms needs. i dont need anyhing more from it it would take me years to talk and sms untill it would cost like an iphone for a mp3 player / camera i have a 60 $ mp4 player. it is nothing beyond mp4 player with 1.3 mpix camera and micro sd slot. it is not perfect. but it does what i need from it